The socially distanced drinker

Like many other people, I have been forced to remember happy journeys from the past as lockdown has robbed us of the chance to travel. A happy Interrailing trip through Spain and northern Portugal 20 years ago is one journey I often return to in my mind.

There are few places in Europe more beautiful than northern Portugal. The Atlantic is treacherous for swimmers, but the towns and cities along the coast north of Porto are charming refuges for surfers and lotuseaters generally, while the inland cities such as Braga are ideal for culture vultures.

Portuguese food can be dull. There is no denying that the neighbouring Spanish are often much more imaginative when it comes to cooking, but the Portuguese make up for any culinary failings with excellent wines.

The small area north of Porto produces glorious reds from the Douro Valley and fragrant whites from the Minho region to the north.

The best of the whites tend to be made with the silky Alvarinho grape — which is called Albarino in Spanish — and keeps well for several years. The best areas are around Moncao, Basto and Amarante, while Braga and Penafiel produce much of the mass-produced wines using this grape.

Aldi is currently selling a good dry Alvarinho, pictured below, (€9.99) which is a fine introduction to this region. This wine also happens to have one of the most beautiful labels

I’ve seen on a wine bottle; an abstract mishmash of gold lines interspersed with light and dark blue that makes it jump off the shelf and look comfortable on the most design-conscious of dining tables.

There are plenty of other decent Alvarinhos and Albarinos available from independent sellers around Ireland at the moment, and one or two from the other supermarkets, but this is the best example for under a tenner.